Fluid meter



Feb. 23,1926. R. C. BRADLEY FLUID METER Filed Jupe 12. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented: Feb. 23, 1926.

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD CLINTON BRADLEY, 01' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO S. I. BOWS ER AN D COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF FOR'I. WAYNE, HVI DIANA, A. CORPORATION.

( FLUID METER.

Application filed J 'une 12, 1920. Serial No. $8,489.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, RICHARD CLINTON BRADLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FluFdMters, of which the following is'a specification.

My 7 present invention relates in general to measuring instruments, and more particularly to fluid meters, and has'special reference to the provison of an improved device of the character referred to wherein motion is imparted to an element by the flow of water and the movement of which element is in turn used to measure the volume ofthe flow.

These measuring instruments comprise a great number of movable elements, one acting upon the otherfrom the point of fluid flow to the point of visual indication; It is obvious that it is impossible -to machine all of these many parts to an absolute certainty. or maintain them in exact adjustment and j inaccuracies in machining and adjustment which would be considered ordinarily as negligible will have a decided misleading effect, when multiplied many times as in a continuously operated measuring device. Furthermore, as the parts which are subject to long continued use begin to wear,their inaccuracies-will increase and the instrument will register slow or fast.

Another objection generall found with water meters now in use is as t e parts grind on each other, noises due to friction will be produced, whlch will be made still more objectonable as the parts begin to wearand work loose, thus setting up chattering noises. The principal objects of my present invention are the provision of means whereby wearing friction is largely minimized; the

provision of means for making an original close adjustment for thesake of accuracy; the provision of-ineans for compensation for wear as it takes place; the provision of a meter structure adapted. for ready disassembly whereby the parts may be cleaned, adjusted, repaired or replaced, and the meter structure reassembled without disturbance of the associated piping; the provision of a meter characterized by a high degree of sensitiveness to fluid flow; the provlsion of an improved form of bearing support; together wlth such further and additional objects as may hereinafter appear.

In devices of the character referred to, the

measuring element is adapted to be subjected continually to fluid, and to respond to a fluid flow which may be continuous.

In devices of the present 'class, the desired primary adjustment is attained by so varying the interaction of the water flow and the element moved thereby, as to vary the action of the water upon the element and in the specific embodiment shown this is done by making provision whereby the moving element can be shifted either backward or forward to provide for any desired adjustment.

While the present invention is applicable to meters of various types, and in fact to other kinds of measuring instruments, it is cillation within said chamber, such meters being known to the trade as the Empire -type.

In the Empire type ofmeter the piston is provided with transverse web, the

center of which is constrained to revolve through a circular orbit concentric with the walls of the measuring chamber; To guide the center, of the piston in its movement of revolution one feature of the present invention consists in mounting of the piston upon an eccentric pivot bearing in abearing block that is, in turn, mounted for concentrio rotation relatively to the measuring chamber. The invention also contemplates the mountingwof said hearing block upon a fixed pivot aring; p

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, provision is made for the shifting of the central portion of the piston toward and from the center of the bearing block, or, in other words, for varying the relative spacing of the pivot bearingsv for the piston and the bearing block, for the purpose of facilitating accuracy in the initial positioning of the piston and bearing block bearings and for permitting subseand arrangements of parts hereinafter described vand claimed, the advantages ofwhich will be obvious to those skilled .in

the art.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure) 1 is a vertical elevational view taken centrally through the meter structure;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the bearing block Figure 31s a lateralvie'w of the block of Figure 2sviewing it at a right angle to.the position there shown I Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and a Figure 5 is an end view of the block of Figure 2. I V

Viewing first Figurel of the drawing 1t will be observed that I have here shown a structure comprisin mechanism 'operate to register by the intermediate gearing, indicated generally at. 2, rotated by the crank-arm, 3, throu h" the' shaft-,4, in the manner presently to edescribed.

The intermediate gearing; 5,.as well as the measuring chamber are enclosed within a casing consisting of the upper part, .6, and

the base, 7, the two being secured together in any desired manner, such as by the bolts shown. A gasket, 8, is provided between the two to make the casing water-tight.

The casing, preferably the upper part 6, is provided with the spuds 9 and 10, one

forming a water inlet and the other a water outlet. By this arrangement the base 7 may serve as a settling chamber.

Supported from theflange, 11, formed on the inner side of the upper part 6' of the outer casing, by the supporting means, 12, 1s the cylindrical inner case, 13, and its cover member, 14. Both of these elements 13 and 14 are provided with laterally extending overlapping flanges 15 and 16, to receive the securing and supporting means 12. By this arrangement it will be seen that both parts of the inner casing are supportedby a single set of supporting means, and that the con tents are securely disposed in predetermined relation.

The cover member, 14, an the bottom head, 13, of this inner case re provided with openings 17 and 18, respectlvely, to permit of the flow of water through the measuring chamber, the lower opening, 18, being provided with a strainer, 19, to keep out extraneous matter, such as sedi1nents,.

etc. The cover member, 14, of the inner case is provided with a concentric u ening from which is dependingly supporte\ in any de sired manner, the cylindrical Wall, 20, the

a case, 1, for the'dial" ber, 29,-to be function of which will shortly be described. Thebottom head,13, is similarly provided with a concentric opening in which seats the cylindrical member21- reduced as at 22 to provide the seating portion 23..

"Both the internal diameter and the external diameter of :the cylindrical members 20 and 21 are preferably. exactly alike so that they-intact form a continuous internal cylindrical chamber or bearing member, and

an external cylindrical bearing member. It

will be noticed, however, that the lower end j of themember- 20is'spacedirom the lower member 21-, the space 20 thus formed being providedv to receive the diaphragm of the piston now to be described. v T

Mounted within the inner cylindrical case, 13, is the hollow-cylindrical piston element, 24, the diameter of which is considerably smaller than that of the inner cylindrical case, 13. The piston, '24, is provided sub stantially midway between its top and bot-' tom with the transverse support or perforated diaphragnr 25. The piston, 24, is car ried in-the inner case, 13, with its diaphragm, 25, in the space 20. The thickness of the diaphragm 1s less than that of the' I width of t ary inthls typeof water meter.

The chamber, 26, formed within the cyline space'20' so as to permit the piston to-float"in the case 13. This piston isacted on by the water and moved 'for measuring purposes in the manner custom-,

drical casing, 21;, is the bearing chamber and extending upwardly from the bottom, 27, thereof is .the central post, 28, which forms the main pivot for the bearing block memafter;

This bearing block member, 29, is concention, the inner surface'of the cylindrical member, 21', and .the contact upper surface described in more detail hereof the seating portion, 23, forming a bearing surface for tlns member, 29. The member,

29, is recessed at a point removed from-its piyot to form the bearing, 30, in which is received the lower reduced end, 31, of. a

bearingpin, 32. Y s

This pin 32 extends through' and fits tightly within a central perforation in the piston25, and an enlarged portion 33 is mounted on. the u per end of the pin, or it may be forme integral therewith, to contact with and operate the crank arm 3 to cause the registering mechan sm to operate.

From the foregoing description it is aparent that as the piston, 25, is acted upon )y the flow, the bearing member, 29, will be caused to move about the pivot post, 28,

which- 'will in turn cause the bearing, 30, to

move bodily about the post, ,28, and concentrically thereto. 'The tendency toward wearon" these two points of pivotal mount- 105 trically mounted upon the post, 28, for rota ing is considerable. The post, 28, is therefore provided with an insert 34 made of a hard, wear resisting material, preferably a jewel, and the bearing member, 29, is provided with the pointed pivot supporting member, 35, made preferably of hardened steel. As a result of this arrangen1ent,'a pivotal support for the bearing member, 29, is provided, wherein friction is largely reduced and tendency to wear consequently diminished.

It will be noted that the pivot post 28' and the bearing pin 32 are both' movably received within corres ondin openin the bearing block whic are ee relatively to their diameters and positive y ,stabilize the movement of the piston 24 'rela-tively'to said pivot post and the bearing block.

The journal bearing constructlon, 30, 32,,

is similarly provided with a jewelled bearing insert, 36, and a hardened steel pivotal supporting member, 37. v

Now viewing more particularly Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive, in which is illu'strated the bearing block member, 29, on an enlargedscale, it will be noticed that this member is curved at the end, 38, concentrically with its pivotal support 35.

At the opposite end, the member. 29, is provided with a lobe, 39. The distance across from the end of the lobe, 39, to the surface, 38, is such that the bearin member, 29, has a loose fit in the cyhndrical member 21. For varying its action, this member, 29, is provided intermediate of its ends withv the two cuts 40 and 41 positioned between the bearing members 30 and 35. Thesecuts are made inwardly from the, opposed sur-v faces 42 and 43 and are preferably at'right angles to a median line joining the bearing members, 30, 35, and each cut in addition extends inwardly. to a distance substantially be-" yond such line joining the members, 30, 35. These cuts, 40, 41, thus overlap and are preferably substantially parallel for a considerable distance. e 1 i The member, 29, is further provided withthe straight end surfaces, 44 and. 45, the'surface 45 being recessed intermediate its ends at 46 to form a socket, and the recess 46 being further reduced as at 47. The end surface, "44, is similarly recessed at two spaced apart points, 48 and 49 (see Figure 5). The recess, 47, crosses and extends beyond the cut, 41, and the recesses 49 cross and extend beyond the cut 40. I

That portion of these threereces'ses which extends inwardly of'the cuts 40 and 41 is still further; reduced in size and screw threaded, the rest of these recesses being unthrea'ded. 1 b

Looselyreccived inthe unthreaded art of each of'these recesses, and threaded into the screw threaded part of each extending -which is formed thelpivot' member, 3

main portion, m V;

sockets, 46, 48. Such screws, 50 may be locked'in position by the lock screws, 51.

\ By providing the cuts, 40 and 41, as described, the member, 29, is made up of two parts, one the solid part, 54, in which, is the pivot 35, and the lobe portion, 39,1"liln e lobe portion is, as a result of the cuts 40 and 41, connected to the main portion, 54,

for adjustment toward and away from said laterally. A

Forv example. by threading the screws, 50,

inwardly it is obvious that the lobe portion,

39, will be moved inwardly. As a result of the stated adjustment for example, the pivot member, 30, and with it the shaft, 32 will be shifted toward the center post, 28. This in turn will carry with itthe piston element, 25, and-in this way the action of the water upon thepiston changed so that the piston will either move faster or slower, depending upon the direction in which the screws, 50, are severally turned. a i

Such variation will bviously -vary the relation of the portion 38 to the remainder of the bearing block 29, consequently "varying the counterweighting action of such porboth longitudinally and.

tion 38. This counterweighting action is a notable feature of the present invention inasmuch as the member 29 always moves in a direction opposite to that of the piston member 24 and serves to aid in' balancing the operation of the device as a whole.

It will be noted that the cylindrical inner casing 13, cover 14,, and cylindrical members, 20,. may be formed out'of stampings and the members 20 and 21 secured to the members 14 and'13 by swagin 'Ol riveting, and that the 0st 28 may also e riveted to the bottom 0 the member 21. I

' Having thus described my invention and illustratedits use, what I claim as new and the action of said'measuring means comprising spaced pivot membersfor supporting said measuring means, and, means whereby the spacing of said members-may be varied. 2. In a' fluid meter, acasingprovided with an inlet thereto and an outlet there from, fluid measuring means actuated by the flow of water, and means'for varying the action of said measuring means-Loomprising two mountings for the measuring 4 means relatively revoluble about each other. 3. ]na fluid meter, a casing having an inlet-and an outlet, fluid measuring means within said casing actuated by the flow of the fluid, and means for varying the action of said measuring means comprising a hearing member rotatable about an axis fixed re atively to the casing, and means for mounting said measuring means on said bearing member for eccentric oscillation thereon, said bearing means being adjustable to vary the relation of the axis of oscillation to said axis of rotation.

4. In a fluid meter, a casing having an inlet and an-outlet', fluid measuring means with n said casing actuated by the flow of the fluid,- and means for varying the action of said measuring means comprising a hearing member rotatable about an axis fixed relatively to tliecasing, means-for mounting said measuring means'on said bearing memberfor eccentric oscillation thereon,

said bearing means being adjustable to vary the relation of the axis of oscillation to said axis. of rotation, and means for efiecting such adjustment. I 5. In a fluid meter, a piston, pivotal support therefor, said piston being mounted eecentrically of the pivot, and said support haviug means whereby the center of the piston maybe moved towards and from the pivot. v

6. In a liquid meter wherein an annular measuring chamber is provided with a hol-' low cylindrical iston having an eccentric movement combined with a movement of oscillation within said chamber, a bearing block mounted upon a pivot bearing for concentric rotation relatively to saidchamber, and an eccentric bearing on said block for said piston, said bearin block having overlapping cuts extending inwardly from opposite sides and crossing the common plane of the' axis of rotation of said block and the axis of oscillation of said piston whereby said block is capable of being oscillation within said chamber, a bearing block mounted upon a pivot bearing for concentric rotation relatively to said chamber, an eccentric bearing on said block for said piston, said bearing block having overlapping cuts extending inwardly from op-.

posite sides and crossing the common plane of the axis of rotation of said block and 'the axis of oscillation of said piston whereby said bl'ock is capable offbeingflexed to vary the distance between said axes, and means for flexing said block and securing it in various positions of flexible adjustment. 8. In a fluid meter, a piston, pivotal support therefor, said piston being mounted eccentrically of the pivot, and means whereby 3 the piston maybe moved towards and from the pivot.

9. In a fluid meter, acasing provided with an inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom, fluid measuring means actuated by the fluid flow, said means comprising a plurality of pivots relatively revoluble about each other and adjustable relatively to each other to vary the action of the measuring means.

10. In a fluid meter, a piston and a pivotal mounting for said piston comprising a pivot about which the piston oscillates. a second pivot spaced from the first about which the piston revolves through an orbital path, and means for adjusting the relation of the pivots to each other.

11. In a fluid meter, a meter casing, a piston,- and a pivotal mounting for said piston comprising a pivot about which the piston oscillates, a second pivot fixed relatively to said casing and spaced from the first about which the piston revolves through an orbital path, and means for adjusting the relative spacing of said pivots.

12. In a fluid meter, a piston and a pivotal mounting for said pistono comprising a fixed pivot, a member rotatably mounted on the fixed pivot, a second pivot engaged by the member, the member. being slotted between the two pivots, and means to cause the pertions of the member upon opposite sides of the slots to move toward or from each other for varying the distance between the said pivots,-

13. In a fiuiduneter, a casing provided with an inlet thereto, and an outlet-therefrom, a fixed pivot, and a bearingmounted on said pivot for -rotation, said bearing member having operative relation to said piston' and a portion arranged to function as a counterweight to said piston.

14. In a'fluid meter, a casingprovided with an inlet thereto, and an outlet therefrom, a pivot and a bearing member mounted on said pivot for rotation, said bearing member having operative connection with said piston and a portion arranged to function as a counterweight to said piston, the several parts being so constructed and arranged that a median line passing through saidoconnection and said counterweighted portion'also passes through said pivot.

15. In a'fluid meter, a casing provided with an inlet and an outlet, a piston chamber, a bearing member pivoted therein. a"

piston pivotally supported by said bearing member, and an element driven by the piston, said bearing member being counterweighted to compensate for the weight of said piston.

16. In a fluid meter, an outer casing or shell having inlet and outlet portions, intermediate indicator driving mechanism, and

an inner casing or shell between said inlet and outlet portions including a supporting member and a cover therefor,- comprlsing a piston chamber, formed of sheet metal, a

piston movable therein, a support for said piston, and inner cylindrical memberscomprising chambers for" said piston support and intermediate driving mechanism also formed of sheet metal, the said several sheet metal sections being connected together.

17. In a liquid meter wherein an annular measuring chamber is provided with a hollow cylindrical piston having an eccentric movement combined with a movement of'o'scillation within said chamber, a bearing block mounted for concentric rotation relatively to said chamber, and aneccentric bearing on said block for said iston, the bearing block having an adjustable por ion supporting the eccentric bearing whereby said bearing may be adjusted toward and from the center of said bearing block.

18. In a'fluid meter, apiston and a pivotal mounting for said piston comprisinga bearing block having bearing recesses in its upper and lower ends, a fixed post extending loosely into the recess in the lower end of said block, a jewel bearing surface at the top of said post, a stud carried by said block engaging said jewel surface to support said block, a second post carried by said piston and extending. loosely into the recess in the upper end of said bearing block, a jewel bearing surface'at the lower end of saidpost and a'stud carried by said block and tapered to provide a point bearing for engaging said jewel surface to support said piston. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed myname.

RICHARD CLINTON BRADLEY.

and tapered to provide a point bearing for 

